Travelling Iceland with young children is very doable, but the question of car seats catches many families off guard. Can you hire a child car seat with your rental car in Iceland? What does Icelandic law require? And is a booster cushion enough for a seven-year-old? Here is a clear, practical answer to each of those questions before you book.
What Icelandic law requires for child passengers
Icelandic road law follows the same logic as most European countries: every child must be secured in an appropriate restraint system for their age, weight and height. The key rules are:
- Children under three years old must travel in an approved child car seat at all times, in every vehicle.
- Children aged three and older, up to 150 cm in height, must use a child restraint or booster seat with a backrest.
- Children over 150 cm tall may use the standard adult seatbelt.
These rules apply regardless of which seat the child sits in. As far as current Icelandic traffic regulations indicate, there is no general exemption for short trips or rental vehicles, but confirm any details with Samgöngustofa (the Icelandic Transport Authority) if your situation is unusual. Fines are issued, and in the event of an accident, an unsecured child creates serious legal and safety consequences for the driver.
Which seat types apply at which ages
The Icelandic rules map broadly to the ECE R44 and i-Size (ECE R129) standards that most families from the US, UK, EU, Australia and Canada will recognise. As a practical reference:
| Child stage | Typical age/size | Seat type needed |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | Birth to approx. 13 kg | Rear-facing infant seat |
| Toddler | Approx. 9–18 kg | Rear- or forward-facing seat |
| Child | Approx. 15–36 kg | Forward-facing with harness or high-back booster |
| Older child | Up to 150 cm | High-back booster with belt guide |
Ages are approximate because weight and height thresholds matter more than birthday numbers. When in doubt, keep children in the more protective option longer.
One Iceland-specific consideration: temperatures can swing from mild to cold within the same day, and children travelling in bulky winter coats should not wear them under a harness. The straps sit too loosely to restrain properly. Put the coat on backwards over the fastened harness, or use a blanket on top.
Can you rent a child car seat with your rental car in Iceland?
Yes. Most rental companies in Iceland offer child seats as an add-on, and this is usually the most practical option for families flying in. Bringing your own seat from home is allowed and some parents prefer a seat their child already knows, but airport logistics make it cumbersome: seats must be carried separately, can be checked as luggage (with associated damage risk), and you need to fit them yourself on arrival.
Blue Car Rental offers child seat hire as an add-on at the booking stage. You can find the current options and pricing on the child car seat rental page. Seats are prepared for your vehicle and ready on pickup, so you do not arrive at the key box at midnight trying to figure out installation.
Speaking of pickup: Blue Car Rental operates an online check-in and key-box pickup system at Keflavik Airport, which suits late-arriving families particularly well. You sort the paperwork before you land, collect the key from the box, and find your car with the seat already fitted. The airport office is open 24/7 from 15 May to 1 November; from 2 November to 14 May it opens at 05:00 and closes at 02:00.
Which rental cars work best for families with young children
The vehicle matters as much as the seat. A compact car is tight with two adults, two children, a rear-facing infant seat and a week of luggage. Consider the following before choosing:
Small families (two adults, one or two children): A mid-size SUV such as the Toyota RAV4 or Hyundai Tucson gives you enough boot space and a rear seat wide enough to fit two child seats side by side without the middle passenger being squeezed into the door.
Larger families or those with prams: A seven-seat 4x4 such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento or Toyota Highlander solves the space problem. The third row folds to create a large boot when you do not need it, and the second row accommodates two child seats comfortably. If you are considering a Toyota Land Cruiser 250, check at booking whether you are getting the five-seat or seven-seat version, as both exist in the fleet.
Groups travelling together: Blue Car Rental's passenger vans seat up to nine people and can accommodate multiple child seats across the rear rows.
You can browse the full vehicle range on the Blue Car Rental website and filter for the capacity you need. For more help matching a car to your route and family size, the guide to choosing the right car for your Iceland road trip covers the main scenarios.
Do you need a 4x4 for a family trip?
Not always, but it depends heavily on where you plan to go. The Ring Road (Route 1) is paved and drivable in a standard 2WD car in summer. In winter, a 4x4 with winter tyres gives significantly better traction on ice and snow, and it is worth serious consideration if you are travelling between October and April.
Iceland's highland F-roads legally require a four-wheel-drive vehicle. If your family itinerary includes Landmannalaugar, the Kjölur route or any F-road destination, a 4x4 is not optional. The guide to F-roads in Iceland explains which routes are involved and what the rules mean in practice.
For most summer Ring Road trips with children, a well-chosen 2WD or AWD SUV is perfectly adequate, and it typically costs less per day than a large 4x4.
Booking a child seat: practical steps
- Book the seat at the same time as the car. Availability is not unlimited and last-minute requests at the desk or airport may not be fulfilled, particularly in peak season (June to August).
- State the child's current weight and height, not just age. This ensures the right seat category is provided. Some families with children near a threshold may need a seat from the next category up.
- Request the right number of seats. If you have two children who each need a restraint, book two. Sharing is not permitted under the law or safety standards.
- Check the extras page when booking to see the current options alongside other add-ons you may need, such as GPS or the roadside assistance waiver.
- Confirm at pickup that seats are fitted correctly. Ask a staff member if you are unsure about the installation. A seat that is loosely fitted offers very little protection.
What about ISOFIX?
ISOFIX anchor points are standard in most modern vehicles in Iceland's rental fleets. Infant and toddler seats with ISOFIX fittings are generally more secure and faster to install correctly than belt-only seats. If you are bringing your own ISOFIX seat, check the terms and conditions or contact the rental company before travel to confirm compatibility with the specific vehicle you are booking.
A note on hidden costs for families
Child seat hire, GPS, and other add-ons can add up. If you are tracking the full cost of your rental, the article on hidden costs in Iceland car rental gives a clear breakdown of what to expect and what to plan for before you arrive.
Planning with children takes a bit more preparation, but Iceland's roads are genuinely family-friendly once you have the right vehicle, the right seats booked, and a clear sense of which routes suit a family pace. The safety basics are simple: get the seat type right for each child, book it early, and confirm it is fitted properly before you drive away from the airport.
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